Elon Musk sparks controversy with far-right gestures, attacks on German Chancellor Scholz at Davos; EU probes X for content moderation breaches amid rising tensions.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday he does not support freedom of speech when it is used for extreme-right views, a day after a hand gesture by U.S. billionaire Elon Musk caused uproar during Donald Trump's inauguration festivities.
"We have the freedom of speech in Europe and in Germany. Everyone can say what he wants, even if he is a billionaire. And what we do not accept is if this is supporting extreme-right positions," Scholz said in Davos when asked about the incident.
Musk's hand gesture during a celebration of President Trump's inauguration drew online comparisons to a Nazi salute. Musk dismissed the criticism as a "tired" attack.
"Shame on Oaf Schitz," Musk posted on X, the platform he owns, on Tuesday with a video clip shared by another user that showed Scholz speaking at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort. "Schitz" has no meaning in German.
Musk has previously attacked Scholz on X, calling him an "incompetent fool" who should resign after a deadly attack at a German Christmas market.
He has also used the platform formerly known as Twitter to signal his support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of elections scheduled for next month.
Musk's repeated endorsement of the AfD, the party that has embraced the Trump administration most among German parties, has drawn ire in Berlin, but the German government has stopped short of unanimously leaving his platform.
The European Commission said this month that it was stepping up its investigation into whether X breached European Union rules on content moderation.
Musk's hosting of AfD leader Alice Weidel for a discussion on X this month was watched by the European Commission to check for any spreading of misinformation.
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At the opening of the Hanover industrial trade fair on Sunday, March 30, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Europe is prepared to act as one if the United States imposes tariffs on steel and aluminum.
The CDU won Germany’s national election, with Friedrich Merz set to become chancellor. The far-right AfD made significant gains, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD suffered a major setback.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stated that Europe will not support any peace process that excludes Ukraine or calls for its demilitarisation, stressing that Europe’s involvement is crucial for any meaningful negotiations.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Elon Musk for using his media influence to interfere in global affairs and support far-right movements, expressing concern over its impact on democracy in Europe.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Almost 2,000 people have been evacuated from Iran via Azerbaijan since conflict erupted in the Middle East.
Norwegian police are searching for a suspect after an explosion at the U.S. embassy in Oslo on 8 March caused minor damage but no injuries, in what authorities say may have been a deliberate attack linked to the Middle East crisis.
Global oil prices reached a four year high on Monday (9 March), surpassing $119 a barrel, as conflict in the Middle East rumbled on. Meanwhile, the Turkish Military said NATO air defence systems destroyed a missile fired from Iran towards the country.
The annual al-Quds Day march in London, set to take place on Sunday, has been banned by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood following warnings from the Metropolitan Police about the risk of "serious public disorder".
The first batch of Peter Mandelson’s papers on his 2024 ambassadorial appointment is set to be published on Wednesday, following a parliamentary order. The release comes amid police investigations over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
At least six people have died after a bus caught fire in Kerzers, Switzerland, in what police say may have been a deliberate act. Witnesses reported a man inside the vehicle set himself alight. Three others were injured and taken to hospital, while authorities continue their investigation.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 11th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Four people have sustained varying degrees of injuries after two drones fell near Dubai's International Airport on Wednesday, as Iran and Israel continue to exchange missile and drone strikes across the Middle East - all the latest updates throughout the day on AnewZ.
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